Malua in Cruising Mode

Malua
Harry Watson Smith
Sun 26 Aug 2012 19:03
Malua is currently at 38:52,07N 01:18,09 at Cala Port Roig
The wind rose in a few minutes as it always does in the middle of the night and I found myself close to a lee shore.  I was sure the anchor was well dug in to I lay listening to the wind in the rigging.  Just to be sure I got up and to my surprise the 54ft Halber Rassie which was anchored next to me was right on the rocks.  The family was from Panama and we had spend a few minutes discussing the cruising in his country the previous day.  Their lights came on and a torch was shone on the ever closing rocks.  Before I knew it there was a bang and then the master fired up his engine and steamed away from the shore, dragging his anchor as he moved forward.  On the bow was his son of not more than 12 years – handling the situation well.  They came away from the rocks but the over large catamaran that – of course anchored after dark was now bearing down of the same lee shore.  It was time for Malua to start up her engines just in case we had to move at a moments notice.  I must say the cat master skilfully manoeuvred his craft away from the rocks and re-anchored all in one move.  The Halber Rassie on the other hand circled the anchorage not making his mind up as there where he would try to re-anchor.  After a long time he chose a spot on my port side a good distance off.  Down went the anchor and it held.  I could now  switch off the engine and return to bed.
After the sun was will up I decided I needed to get out of this anchorages and find another place for the following night.  Up anchor and up sail and off we went down wind along the northern coast of Ibiza. 
It was a great sail until I had to turn the corner and sail up wind along the eastern coast.  There are a number off lying island which had to be negotiated.  One passage had only 10 meters of water and as the cruising guide said the wind funnels between the mainland and the island and the sea can get quite rough.  Yes in excess of 27 knits of wind and a very choppy sea.  Malua struggled onto the choppy sea but after about 2 hour popped out the other side into the open sea.  Now to find a sheltered anchorage for the afternoon and evening.
Malua is now in a Cala Port Roig along with more than 20 other vessels but there is no rock and roll and I will sleep well again tonight.
Another magic moment on Malua